United Way set goal at $150,000 for campaign

The Hopkins County United Way Volunteers picked up packets Wednesday in a United Way kickoff luncheon.

The goal of $150,000 is set with donations to be received in the next month or so according to volunteers. Emily Glass, Campaign Chair thanked all involved as they gathered at the Southwest Dairy Museum and watched a short video presentation of distribution of the funds within the community to 18 different agencies.

'It's a good time to go out and work they cards. I know without hesitation this will be a successful campaign, that's why we chose the motto of 'A History of Helping' this year,' said Glass.

'Our volunteers are easy to work with and some of them have been doing this for years. I thank them in advance and the new volunteers as well,' Glass said.

'The money we raise with the Hopkins County United Way stays here,' Glass said. 'We're proud to point that out.'

Organizations and agencies receiving funds include:

• Bright Star Baseball, $1,500, in spring play last year, they had 42 players and 36 buddies;

• CANHelp, $18,250, in 2021 the organization provides $123,000 and served 1,795 families;

• Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America, $1,000, they help youngsters make good decisions and have the values of the Scout Oath and Law, last year 44 youth participated:

• Community Players, Inc, $1,500, they have opportunities for local talent. In the 2022 Summer Workshop, 30 children participated;

• ETCADA (East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse), $1,500; the group served 1,130 people in Hopkins County the first portion of 2022;

• Heritage Christian Counseling Center, $7,000, served more than 300 people in the county during 2021;

• Hopkins County 4-H, $2,750, More than 1,000 students took part in 4-H activities in the county along with other programs in 2021;

• Hopkins County Christian Alliance on behalf of Community Cupboard, $7,000, they provided food assistance to those in need with the Community Cupboard, Christian Alliance serving 1,625 people last year

• Hopkins County Community Chest, $40,000, the organization distributed 605,904 pounds of nutritious food and helped 2,334 people in 2021 along with basic needs of food, shelter, hygiene and access to medical and dental care;

• Lake Country Casa, $10,000, served 60 children in the county last year and provided trained volunteer to assist abused or neglected children involved in Family Courts;

• Lake Regional Community Center on behalf of Our Place, $4,500; provided a safe environment for individuals with Intellectual Development Disabilities, currently providing services for 14 people;

• Meal-A-Day, $8,000, last year the program served 40,604 meals providing food to senior citizens, five days a week;

• NETCAC (Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, Inc,) $3,500, this group served 103 children from Hopkins County in 2021;

• SAFE-T (Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas), $5,000; the SAFE-T served 380 clients in the county last year;

• Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, $4,000; they served 10 teenagers through Empowering Success in 2021;

• Sulphur Springs Symphony League, $1,000; seek to education students in social skills providing instructions to the school district and presenting live concerts, approximately 1,000 students attend children's concert in 2022;

• Teen Court, $2,500, the group served 69 students in 2021;

• Dinner Bell, $5,000, the volunteer-based group provides 9,051 meals in 2021;

• United Way World wide, $1,500, works with the local groups to make United Way more viable. Members in United Way Worldwide is required by all local United Way organizations; Administrative Expenses, $23,500, salary for parttime secretary, supplies, utilities, annual audit, portage and campaign materials; Executive secretary Susan Berning, said, 'I know we're going to be working very hard to raise the $150,000 for the 18 organizations. We are available for help if needed.' She also thanked the budget and allocation committee composed of David Burns, Ashley Crump, Glass, Tommy Harrison, Charlotte Henderson, Mike Horne, Lindsey Johnson and Kristy Landers Moseley.

The Lead Donor/CEO Appreciation Lunch will be held Wednesday, Sept. 28 at noon at The Venue. Berning said, “This is our opportunity to thank the Lead Donors for their generous support during the 2021-2022 Campaign. We consider it a great privilege to steward donations received from our generous corporate and individual donors to help support these non-profits that provide services to people in Hopkins County. As a reminder, all but one percent of money raised stays in Hopkins County.”